Our Lady of Mount Carmel procession draws hundreds of Italian families

Members of Caliendo's Banda Napoletana marches through the streets of Melrose Park. Men from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Melrose Park carry the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in a procession through the neighborhood on July 19, 2026. The procession, which included over 40 groups and families, was one of the final events in the 133rd commemoration of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel novena and feast day celebration at the parish. The feast day celebration is an annual event for many Catholic families of Italian heritage in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Auxiliary Bishop Larry Sullivan celebrated the outdoor Mass before the procession. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Members of the Napolitano Family carry a tribute of their loved ones and a statue of San Francesco di Paolo in the procession. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Two children size up their outfits before the procession begins near the church. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Men from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Melrose Park carry the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in a procession through the neighborhood. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Luca Napolitano waves to members of his family congregating outside before the procession begins. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

A woman greets a member of the Napolitano Family along the route. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Men carry a statue of Our lady of Guadalupe in the procession. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Accompanied by Scalabrini Father Richard Bezzegato, Auxiliary Bishop Larry Sullivan, vicar general for the Archdiocese of Chicago, blesses a family at their home as he passes by. The bishop was the main celebrant for an outdoor Mass prior to the procession. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

A family carries a statue of St. Joseph statue holding the child Jesus and a blooming lily branch, surrounded by a bed of white lilies. In Catholic tradition and Italian-American heritage (often tied to La Festa di San Giuseppe or St. Joseph's Day), this specific imagery carries deep cultural and spiritual symbolism. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

A woman wears buttons of deceased family members as she marches in the procession. During the novena and feast day, many participants remember loved ones through images on buttons, their candle houses or in windows of their homes. Many participants wear white for the Mass and procession. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Ladies carry a statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague, a well-known Catholic devotion honoring the child Jesus. It is often depicted with a royal crown and intricate vestments, similar to the statue shown. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Youth altar servers walk as a group in the procession through the neighborhood surrounding the church. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Parishioners throw rose petals as the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel passes by their home. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Members of the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership wave during the procession. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Nancy Rossi, who turned 108 in April, carries a cross in the procession leading her rosary group. This was her 83rd year marching in the procession. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Members of rosary ministry carry a large rosary through the streets during the procession. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

A family walks with photos of their loved ones in the procession. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic) Men carry a statue of St. Turbio Romo. He is considered a patron of immigrants and border-crossers. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Men carry a statue of Our lady of Guadalupe in the procession. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Members of the Napolitano family carry a tribute of their loved ones and a statue of San Francesco di Paolo in the procession. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

A family carries a candle house with the infant Jesus on top. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

A youth carries a cross while walking with a rosary group. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Men from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Melrose Park carry the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in a procession through the neighborhood on July 19, 2026. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)